University of Nevada, Las Vegas pool

Arrive in a windy Las Vegas last night to visit a trade show. Make the mistake of closing my eyes for five minutes on the plane, then wake up 20 minutes before landing, so it's no surprise that I'm wide awake at 4:30am.

Wait it out until 6am, then head over to Summerlin for a Sunday morning Egg Works breakfast, before heading back across town to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus for a lunchtime swim at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center Pool.

Arrive on campus, park in the huge student parking structure and head into the impressive, modern and very large sports building.

Head to reception, complete the full registration form, part with $15 for a day pass and head to the locker room.

Out to the pool deck and it's a light and bright pool hall, with a full side of floor to ceiling glass. The six lane, 25 yard pool is quiet, with plenty of lanes to choose from. Pick a middle lane, jump in and make a start.

We're in a yard pool, but I'll accept a 4,200 yard plod instead of my now usual 4.2km swim. Have had a couple of days off and feel surprisingly fresh. Trying to get a bit more glide in the stroke, with fewer strokes per length for efficiency.

The Coniston Lake District swim is coming up in a few weeks, so I need to keep the distance up in the pool, seeing as I'm away and not in open water for a couple of weekends.

Swim done, ready for a nap!